Few tips on alpha training

[Jazz]

Reinforce the dominant posture in everything you do with your dog.

Dominant doesnt mean agressive.

Here is a list of a few tips, but only a few for now.

Never feed your dog before yourself and let it witness you eating without interference.

Never let your dog go ahead of you through any gate/doorway or gap unless you direct it to always make it wait for you first.

Never put your lead on the dog at walk time unless it is calm and quiet and controlled. Dont reward excited noisy behavior with a walk.
PS...Nothing with dogs is an overnight success, you must work at it every single day until results come.

React to situations the way you wish your dog to.

Dont let your dog demand affection, offer it by all means but only under your terms, the alpha's terms.



The point of these tips along with others I may post are all focussed on placing the dog in its most comfortable state within its enviroment. if the dog knows exactly where it should be, exactly who is boss you get a better, happier and more responsive animal.

I find its better to post a few tips at a time rather than trying to write a book about dogs.lol.

[LOVEGSD]

Thanks for these. I was really pleased as I read down the list that I currently do all of these

[Jazz]

Originally Posted by LOVEGSD

Thanks for these. I was really pleased as I read down the list that I currently do all of these

Bugger you mustve seen my spelling mistakes before I corrected them then lol..

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by Jazz

Bugger you mustve seen my spelling mistakes before I corrected them then lol..

LOL....

Can't wait to hear more tips....

[Sasha]

I thought the dominance theory had largely been disproved these days? I'm not a trainer (except to my own pack!) and am not looking to cause trouble or say you're opinions are wrong, just wondering - am always looking to learn more

[LOVEGSD]

Oh really Sasha? I'm not a trainer either and I can only speak from my experience at puppy training with Mic Martin, who also encourages dominance but never aggression and I must stress that.

I would be really interested to know then how you handle your pack and your techniques? I am so interested in how everyone deals with their furballs....it's fascinating

[ilsongirl]

I think there is something to it, with my 2 Ben will always wait a couple of seconds for Sophie to start eating before he does.

She nearly always wins tug-a-war too, if he wins he normally drops it for her (bless)

[AllyCat]

Six months ago I was a poor pack leader and I paid a price (with nip marks all up the back of my body!) I had assistance from a pet behavourist and they pointed out all the tips in the first post. I put them into place and I now have two brilliant dogs and no bruises!!) I can bring in other dogs and the pack always listens to me. I firmly believe in the pack leader theory as I once was the gentle "mum" and got no respect.

I love the fact that I rarely have to correct my dogs and all it takes is a certain tone in my voice to have them back down and turn into puppies again. They dont fear me as I dont dominate them as such. I teach them in dog language and they easily recognise their place and are really happy.

[Jazz]

Originally Posted by Sasha

I thought the dominance theory had largely been disproved these days? I'm not a trainer (except to my own pack!) and am not looking to cause trouble or say you're opinions are wrong, just wondering - am always looking to learn more

Your opinion is noted, but what would you actually replace it with?????

[AllyCat]

Originally Posted by Sasha

I thought the dominance theory had largely been disproved these days? I'm not a trainer (except to my own pack!) and am not looking to cause trouble or say you're opinions are wrong, just wondering - am always looking to learn more

I think the theory you are thinking of is where idiots pin the dogs etc. The theory Jazz has exampled is dominance without force. Its attitude not strength or size.